Apparatus for anterior intervertebral spinal fixation and fusion

Abstract

A fixation device includes a housing, first and second shafts, first blade, and second blade. The housing includes a leading surface and trailing surface. The first and second shafts run from the leading surface to the trailing surface. The first blade has a first extension with a sharp edge extending from the first shaft in a first orientation about the first shaft. The second blade has a second extension with a sharp edge extending from the second shaft in a second orientation about the second shaft. The first blade is rotatable according to the first orientation and the second blade is rotatable according to the second orientation, such that the first extension and the second extension are enabled to break an endplate of a vertebra, hook into the vertebra, and rigidly secure the vertebra to the device to prevent separation of the vertebra from the device during spinal motion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A fixation device comprising:
 a housing with a leading surface and a trailing surface; 
 first and second shafts running from the leading surface to the trailing surface of the housing; 
 at least one first blade having at least one first cutting extension with a sharp leading edge extending from the first shaft in a first orientation about the first shaft; and 
 at least one second blade having at least one second cutting extension with as sharp leading edge extending from the second shaft in a second orientation about the second shaft, the 
 second orientation being opposite to the first orientation; 
 wherein the at least one first blade is rotatable in a direction according to the first orientation and the at least one second blade is rotatable in an opposite direction according to the second orientation, such that the at least one first cutting extension of the at least one first blade and the at least one second cutting extension of the at least one second blade are enabled to break an endplate of a vertebra, hook into the vertebra, and rigidly secure the vertebra to the fixation device to prevent separation of the vertebra from the fixation device during spinal motion. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first blade includes a first set of opposing cutting extensions with sharp leading edges that are enabled to break endplates of adjacent vertebrae, hook into the adjacent vertebrae, and rigidly secure the adjacent vertebrae in relation to each other and to the fixation device to prevent separation of the vertebrae from the fixation device during spinal motion. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one second blade includes a second set of opposing cutting extensions with sharp leading edges that are enabled to break the endplates of adjacent vertebrae, hook into the adjacent vertebrae, and rigidly secure the adjacent vertebrae in relation to each other and to the fixation device to prevent separation of the vertebrae from the fixation device during spinal motion. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first blade is rotatable in a clockwise direction according to the first orientation, and the at least one second blade is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction according to the second orientation. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first blade and the at least second blade are imbricated between each other. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first blade and the at least second blade are rotatable individually or as a group. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first blade and the at least second blade vary in size. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first blade and the at least second blade include portions configured to expand a disk space between adjacent vertebrae. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the portions are further configured to provide weight-bearing support to the adjacent vertebrae. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein first and second shafts serve as axis of rotation to the at least one first blade and the at least second blade. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second shafts are fixed in relation to each other, or move away from each other when the housing is expanded at least in part in vertical and horizontal directions. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second shafts run perpendicular to the leading surface of the housing. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a configuration of a box, a cylinder, or another geometric shape, the configuration including a height of the deep surface that is smaller than a height of the trailing surface. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one material selected from metal, plastic ceramic, graphite, coral, and human bone product. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed at least in part from a porous material. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is absorbable.